A great example of a social prescribing service within a library setting. There is a very well-defined referral process in place and excellent partnership collaborations. There is a real sense of understanding and reflecting the needs and interests of the local community as well as a deep understanding of why referrals take place from the outset.

RSPH Health and Wellbeing Awards Assessor

In 2007 I had the opportunity to start an arts on prescription programme with the help of Invest to Safe funding. Social prescribing was still relatively unknown then and the world felt like a different place. I assembled a team of dedicated arts and health professionals, and together we built a thriving creative community in which people found a home and rediscovered their creative spark and sense of purpose. Since then, the service has gone through many changes and challenges, suffering funding cuts, as well as receiving awards and recognition by Arts Council England. I am delighted to say that the team has remained and grown together, and that we have found an enduring and supportive home in St Helens Borough Council, Merseyside. To be short-listed for the RSPH Health & Wellbeing Awards 2022 means the world to us. We’ve worked passionately with our local communities through thick and thin. And we are grateful for this immense acknowledgement.

Jessica Bockler, Co-Founding Director, Creative Alternatives, Alef Trust    

As Project Coordinator of Creative Alternatives in St Helens, it’s a genuine privilege to do what I do but to now be shortlisted for the RSPH Health & Wellbeing Awards 2022 in the Arts & Health category is very exciting and such an honour! This nomination will mean even more to the people of St Helens who are struggling with their mental health day in and day out but who have the courage to step forward to engage with Creative Alternatives where they can experience creativity and self-expression in a new way and in return we see personal growth, special connections, joy and much more! It also means a lot that our service is commissioned through Public Health and sits within the Arts in Libraries programme for the borough, demonstrating the positive and holistic changes to health and wellbeing by working collaboratively and creatively in the local community.Thank you so much for the recognition!

Helen Holden, Project Coordinator, Creative Alternatives